Geoff Spratt volunteered with the Cork Orchestral Society for nearly 40 years - he was Treasurer for most of that time, and asked to be Chairman when its founder-chairman, Professor Aloys Fleischmann died in 1992. When the COS celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2013, he handed over the reigns to the next generation. It is particularly fitting, therefore, that the COS should promote the final concerts he will conduct in the Cork School of Music before he retires as its Director this summer.

Robin Tristchler was born in Wicklow and studied in Dublin, but London is now his base for a glittering international career as one of the finest tenors of his generation. Cormac Ó hAodáin was also born and educated in Dublin. He played with all the big London orchestras before returning to Dublin to become Principal Horn of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and he is currently completing his MA in the Cork School of Music. Mary Hegarty is one of the famous Cork sopranos who have all had earned international reputations on the stages of both opera houses and concert halls. What a spectacular line-up of soloists! The orchestra will be the Cork School of Music Chamber Orchestra, featuring a side-by-side collaboration between members of staff, the most senior students of the CSM, and a handful of its graduates. The orchestra's reputation precedes it, so we can expect something very special.

The performances will be given at 1.10 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., and last for approximately 50 minutes. The COS knows there will be tremendous demand for tickets, so you are urged to purchase in advance to be sure of a seat.
If you would like to book tickets (€10; senior citizens & students concession: €5), please either visit the Cork Orchestral Society's website http://www.corkorchestralsociety.ie to avail of an online-booking system, or call to the Cork School of Music's Public Office, Union Quay, Cork.

Please note: the doors will open 30 minutes before each performance is scheduled to commence; seats will be held for pre-booked ticket holders until 10 minutes before each performance commences, but will then be sold to those who haven't booked a seat.